Dispenser for tape roll with integral tape mandrel

ABSTRACT

A tape dispenser assembly ( 20,120 ) comprising: a housing having an at least partially enclosed interior ( 22,122 ); and a mandrel ( 10,110 ) disposed in the interior and coupled to the housing; the mandrel ( 10,110 ) adapted to receive and releasably retain a tape roll ( 30,130 ) having a core opening thereon, wherein the mandrel ( 10,110 ) comprises a first sidewall ( 12 ) projecting from a base ( 11 ) and a second sidewall ( 12 ) projecting from a base ( 11 ) generally parallel to the first sidewall ( 12 ), wherein the first and second sidewalls ( 12 ) each comprise a hub structure ( 13 ) projecting therefrom and adapted to releasably engage the core opening of the tape roll ( 30,130 ), and wherein the assembly ( 20,120 ) is configured such that: (i) a tape roll ( 30,130 ) having a core opening can be inserted at least partially into the interior ( 22,122 ) and the core opening of the tape roll ( 30,130 ) releasably engaged with the first and second sidewalls ( 12 ) so as to secure the tape roll ( 30,130 ) in dispensing configuration and disengaged from the first and second sidewalls ( 12 ), substantially without dissassemblying the housing, and (ii) a tape roll ( 30,130 ) in dispensing configuration can be disengaged from the first and second sidewalls ( 12 ) and removed from the interior ( 22,122 ), substantially without dissassemblying the housing.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a dispenser for tape rolls, particularly dispensers having integral tape mandrels.

BACKGROUND

Many desktop tape dispensers use a simple mandrel to support the tape roll (i.e., typically a cylindrical core member having a core opening therein and about which tape is wound in roll form) and about which the tape roll rotates as tape is dispensed. The mandrel is typically a separate component that must be removed from the dispenser and separately handled, frequently resulting in loss or misplacement. The use of such a mandrel further limits how the dispenser can be molded and designed, as the dispenser will ultimately require corresponding features to secure the mandrel. Such issues become magnified when the tape roll is intended to be housed in the interior of the dispenser, particularly when that interior is at least partially enclosed.

The need exists for improved tape dispensers.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a mandrel for supporting a tape roll, the mandrel including a pair of opposing sidewalls projecting from a base. Each sidewall includes a hub structure configured to releasably engage the core opening of a tape roll having a core opening. The sidewalls are resiliently flexible relative to each other to allow for the tape roll to be inserted and replaced.

In brief summary, a tape dispenser assembly of the invention comprises:

a housing having an at least partially enclosed interior; and

a mandrel disposed in the interior and coupled to the housing, the mandrel adapted to receive and releasably retain a tape roll having a core opening thereon.

The mandrel comprises a first sidewall projecting from a base and a second sidewall projecting from a base generally parallel to the first sidewall, wherein the first and second sidewalls each comprise a hub structure projecting therefrom and adapted to releasably engage the core opening of the tape roll. As described herein, the assembly is configured such that: (1) a tape roll having a core opening can be inserted at least partially into the interior and the core opening of the tape roll releasably engaged with the first and second sidewalls so as to secure the tape roll in dispensing configuration and disengaged from the first and second sidewalls, substantially without dissassemblying the housing, and (2) a tape roll in dispensing configuration can be disengaged from the first and second sidewalls and removed from the interior, substantially without dissassemblying the housing.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a tape dispenser assembly including a housing having at least a partially enclosed interior, a mandrel disposed in the interior and coupled to the housing, and a tape roll. Advantageously, the tape roll, typically comprising a core member with a core opening thereon and tape wound thereon may be inserted into the interior and mounted on the mandrel and then subsequently removed without removing the mandrel from the housing interior.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further described with reference to the drawings, wherein corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape mandrel according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the tape mandrel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of tape dispenser assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the dispenser assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of tape dispenser assembly according to another illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the tape dispenser assembly of FIG. 5.

The figures are for illustration only and are not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The terms “comprises” and variations thereof do not have a limiting meaning where these terms appear in the description and claims.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

As recited herein, all numbers should be considered modified by the term “about”.

As used herein, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably. Thus, for example, a mandrel comprising “a” sidewall can be interpreted as a mandrel comprising “one or more” sidewalls.

Also herein, the recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.).

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The description that follows more particularly exemplifies illustrative embodiments. In several places throughout the application, guidance is provided through lists of examples, which examples can be used in various combinations. In each instance, the recited list serves only as a representative group and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive list.

The tape mandrel of the present disclosure may be used to support rolls of tape in dispensers having at least a partially enclosed interior. As used herein, a partially enclosed interior means that the housing includes a limited number of openings large enough to accept a tape roll. The tape mandrel, in certain embodiments, can be secured to the interior of the dispenser housing while remaining sufficiently flexible to allow for a tape roll to be removed and another inserted and replaced without dissembling the dispenser. The mandrels of the present disclosure typically include a pair of opposing sidewalls that project outwardly from a base and harbor corresponding hub structures that releasably retain a tape roll. One sidewall may further include a tab that can be used to urge the ends of the sidewall apart, allowing for easier removal and insertion of the tape roll. The inventive tape mandrels are potentially useful in myriad tape dispenser designs, including boxes, helmets, and decorative fruit.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an embodiment of a mandrel 10 suitable for use in tape dispensers having an at least partially enclosed interior. By an at least partially enclosed interior it is meant that, when configured for use with a tape roll mounted on a mandrel in accordance with the invention that the entirety of the tape roll and mandrel are positioned within the interior of the housing with substantially only the end of the tape extending to the perimeter of the opening or outside thereof. In such configuration the tape roll and mandrel may be observed from outside the housing if it is adapted with suitable openings, but they are positioned within the interior thereof to minimize undesirable interaction with the outside work environment.

The mandrel 10 includes a base 11 and a pair of opposing, generally parallel sidewalls 12 projecting from the base 11, thereby cooperating with the base to define a tape roll receptacle. The base 11 is depicted as a flat or substantially planar surface, but may include any contour (e.g., a surface having a concave curvature) sufficient to connect the opposing sidewalls 12 and position them relative to one another. In certain implementations, the sidewalls 12 can extend at a right or slightly obtuse angle (e.g., about 90 to about 95 degrees) from the plane defined by of the base 11. A gentle taper (i.e., draft) of the sidewalls' extension relative to the base 11 can, in certain circumstances, facilitate molding of the mandrel 10. The sidewalls 12 are spaced apart a distance sufficient to minimize lateral movement of a retained tape roll. For example, the sidewalls can be designed to retain a ¾ inch tape roll with at least a sixteenth of an inch clearance (i.e., distance between the sidewall and the roll) on each side. Other dimensions are possible, depending upon the size of the desired tape roll and the hub structures discussed in more detail below.

The sidewalls 12 of the mandrel 10 include opposing hub structures 13 that project inwardly from the inner surfaces of the sidewalls 12. The hub structures 13 provide peripheral surfaces adapted to rotatably support cylindrical inner surfaces of a tape roll core for rotation about an axis by, for example, projecting into the opposite ends of an opening in the tape roll core. As depicted, the hub structures 13 comprise semi-cylindrical projections including a raised surface 14 and a ramp portion 15 proximate the free end (i.e., the end unconnected to the base) of the sidewall 12. The ramp 15 is angled or beveled relative to the plane of the sidewall 12. The angled nature of the ramp 15 can allow for convenient loading of the roll of tape onto the hub structures 13. Different hub structures are known in the tape dispensing art (such as hollow, generally U-shaped flanges) and may be used without departing from the scope of the inventive mandrels disclosed herein. Exemplary hub structures may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,468,332 (Dretzka et al.) and 8,191597 (Vulpitta).

The sidewalls 12 are resiliently flexible between the hub structures 13 and the base 11 so that they can be resiliently bent apart to allow for positioning a roll of tape between the hub structures 13 and removing an empty core from therebetween. In exemplary embodiments, the material is sufficiently flexible to allow for at least 10 degrees of relative movement of a sidewall relative to its initial position.

In other embodiments, the material is sufficiently flexible to allow for at least 15 degrees of relative movement, and in yet other embodiments at least 20 degrees of relative movement. To assist in the relative movement of the sidewalls 12, a free end of one sidewall 12 may be provided with a tab 16. The tab 16 can include any graspable geometry and typically extends at a non-zero angle relative to the plane defined by the sidewall 12. In certain embodiments, the tab 16 extends at an angle of at least 15 degrees, in some embodiments, at least 30 degrees, in some embodiments, at least 45 degrees, and in some embodiments at least 60 degrees. It may be preferred the tab 16 extends at an angle of no greater than 90 degrees, such that the force necessary to pry open the sidewall is adequately reduced.

Due at least in part to the resilient flexibility of the sidewalls 12 and the design of the hub structures 13, a user may load a tape roll without having to use the tab 16 or prying open the sidewalls 12. Removal, however, will typically require at least one of the sidewalls 12 to be moved to decouple at least one hub structure 13 from the tape roll core.

One of the sidewalls 12 of mandrel 10, preferably the sidewall opposite the sidewall including the tab 16, includes a mounting structure 17. The mounting structure 17 is adapted for use in coupling the mandrel 10 to the interior of a dispenser housing. As will be explained in more detail below, the mounting structure 17 can also assist in positioning the mandrel 10 relative to a dispenser cutting surface. For example, the mating feature may engage with a mating aperture on an interior surface of the dispenser. In the depicted embodiment, the mounting structure 17 includes a hollow, cylindrical ring that frictionally engages with another, similar structure on the dispenser. In other embodiments, the mounting structure 17 can be secured to the dispenser housing via a fastening mechanism (e.g., pressure sensitive adhesive, hook and loop fastener, etc.). In certain circumstances, it can be desirable to have a sidewall permanently affixed to the housing. Fixing a sidewall to the dispenser housing allows for potential one hand loading and removal of a tape roll, as only the free sidewall need be moved to sufficiently open the mandrel. Furthermore, fixing a sidewall to the dispenser housing prevents the mandrel from being removed and lost during normal use. In alternative embodiments, the mandrel may be removably retained in the dispenser housing.

Suitable materials for the mandrel include, but are not limited to, plastics, metals, and ceramics, and combination thereof. Suitable plastic include, without limitation, polystyrene and polycarbonate.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a dispenser assembly including a tape dispenser 20, a mandrel 10, and a tape roll 30 is depicted. In the embodiment shown, tape dispenser 20 is in general the shape of a football helmet, and includes shell 21 at least partially defining an interior 22 and a faceguard 23. The faceguard 23 and shell 21 cooperate to partially enclose the interior 22. A cutting support 24 is disposed on the faceguard 23, away from the interior 22. The cutting support 24 typically includes a landing surface and a blade. The landing surface serves as a surface to attach a dispensed end of tape so that it is accessible and ready for further use. The landing surface further provides a support surface to ease the tearing of tape across blade. The blade can be serrated or include any other known blade configuration.

A mandrel 10 is secured to tape dispenser 20 via a mating feature 25 on an interior surface of the shell 21. The base 11 of the mandrel 10 is positioned toward the rear of the shell 21, with the hub structures 13 aligned proximate the cutting support 24. The mounting structure 17 cooperates with mating feature 25 to position the mandrel 10 within the dispenser, such that tape dispensed from tape roll 30 in the direction of faceguard 23 will engage the cutting support 24. In alternative embodiments, mounting structure 17 is alone sufficient to space the mandrel from the interior surface of the shell 21. As depicted, the mandrel 10 is oriented so that the ramp portion 15 of hub structures 13 are tilted at a slightly downward angled relative to the plane defined by the cutting support 24. This orientation can assist in loading the tape roll 30, which is preferably loaded through the bottom opening of the shell 21. In alternative embodiments, the faceguard 23 is removable and tape roll 30 is loaded in a direction towards the base 11 of the mandrel 10.

A user may ready the mandrel 10 for tape roll insertion by moving the tab 16 away from the sidewall 12 attached to the shell 21. As the sidewalls 12 are connected at the base 11, moving the sidewalls away from one another at the front end causes the hub structures 13 to move away from one another more at the ramp 15 end than at the back end. This allows for insertion of a desired width of tape without undue stress on the tape dispenser 20 or mandrel 10. Alternatively, the tape roll 30 may be loaded without user initiated movement of the sidewalls.

In other embodiments, the dispenser housing has an enclosed interior that is only accessible through a door, movable cover, or other access mechanism. FIGS. 5 and 6 depict another embodiment of a dispenser assembly including a tape dispenser 120, a mandrel 110, and a tape roll 130. The mandrel 110 does not substantially differ from the mandrel 10 described above, and therefore the specific elements of mandrel 10 need not be repeated. The tape dispenser 120 includes a base 123 with a cutting support 124 and a removable cover 121 that cooperate to define the dispenser interior 122. The cover 121 is depicted as hingedly coupled to the base 123, so that the cover is rotatable between an open state (FIG. 5) and a closed state (FIG. 6). Other mechanisms for allowing transitions between open and closed states are also suitable, such as a removable cover with a friction or mating fit on the base, a cover slidingly coupled to the base, and other known configurations.

In use, the cover 121 is rotated upward relative to the bottom surface of base 123, exposing the mandrel 110 and allowing for receipt of the tape roll 130 in the dispenser interior 122. In certain embodiments, rotation of the cover may also cause rotation of the mandrel 110 between a loading state and a dispensing state. Alternatively, the mandrel 110 is not rotated with the cover 121, as the tape roll 130 will typically be capable of rotating on the mandrel 110 hub structures in any orientation. Once the tape roll 130 is secured in the mandrel 110, tape may be drawn from the roll 130 and placed on the cutting support 124.

It should be appreciated that a variety of housing designs creating at least a partial enclosure are possible and within the scope of the disclosure

The complete disclosures of the patents, patent documents, and publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each were individually incorporated. Various modifications and alterations to this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It should be understood that this invention is not intended to be unduly limited by the illustrative embodiments and examples set forth herein and that such examples and embodiments are presented by way of example only with the scope of the invention intended to be limited only by the claims set forth herein as follows. 

1. A tape dispenser assembly comprising: a housing having an at least partially enclosed interior; and a mandrel disposed in the interior and coupled to the housing; the mandrel adapted to receive and releasably retain a tape roll having a core opening thereon, wherein the mandrel comprises a first sidewall projecting from a base and a second sidewall projecting from the base generally parallel to the first sidewall, wherein the first and second sidewalls each comprise a hub structure projecting therefrom and adapted to releasably engage the core opening of the tape roll, and the mandrel further comprises a mounting structure on the second sidewall that couples the mandrel to the interior of the housing, and wherein the assembly is configured such that: (1) a tape roll having a core opening can be inserted at least partially into the interior and the core opening of the tape roll releasably engaged with the first and second sidewalls so as to secure the tape roll in dispensing configuration and disengaged from the first and second sidewalls, substantially without dissassemblying the housing, and (2) a tape roll in dispensing configuration can be disengaged from the first and second sidewalls and removed from the interior, substantially without dissassemblying the housing.
 2. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second sidewalls is resiliently flexible relative to the other sidewall.
 3. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first sidewall further comprises a tab extending at a non-zero angle relative to the plane defined by the first sidewall.
 4. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein at least one of the hub structure of the first sidewall or the hub structure of the second sidewall comprises a ramp portion proximate a free end of the sidewall.
 5. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein the tape roll can be removed from the housing without removing the mandrel from the housing interior.
 6. The tape dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a tape roll having a core opening wherein the tape roll is releasably engaged with the mandrel. 